IN THE BEGINNING

IN THE BEGINNING

Every civilization has a creation myth.

One could look at Native American myths of creation:  notably Navaho, Lakota, Apache, Hopi and others. See: http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/world/accounts.html

Or Dreamtime of the Australian Aboriginal Indians- where the Ancestors went about and sang the world into existence by naming into existence the idea of each being.

The great Nordic myth The Kalevala tells: "I have a good mind take into my head to start off singing..."

Or, In the beginning was the Word.  One French Bible translates this LOGOS as the Verb.

Kabala points out Adam named the creatures into existence. Creation by Word.

Tolkien's myth of creation is The Ainulindalë:

"There was Eru, the ONE, who in Arda is called Illúvatar; and he made first the Ainur, the Holy Ones, that were the offspring of his thought, and they were with him before aught else was made. And he spoke to them, propounding to them themes of music; and they sang before him, and he was glad. But for

a long while they sang only each alone, or but few together, while the rest hearkened; for each comprehended only that part of the mind of Illúvatar from which he came, and in the understanding of their brethren they grew but slowly. Yet ever as they listened they came to deeper understanding, and increased in unison and harmony.

And it came to pass that Illúvatar called together all the Ainur and declared to them a mighty theme, unfolding to them things greater and more wonderful that he had yet revealed; and they glory of its beginning and the splendour of its end amazed the Ainur, so that they bowed before Illúvatar and were silent.

Then Illúvatar said to them: ‘Of the theme that I have declared to you, I will now that ye make in harmony together a Great Music. And since I have kindled you with the Flame Imperishable, ye shall show forth your powers in

adorning this theme, each with his own thoughts and devices, if he will. But I will sit and hearken, and be glad that through you great beauty has been wakened into song.’

Then the voices of the Ainur, like unto harps and lutes, and pipes and trumpets, and viols and organs, and like unto countless choirs singing with words, began to fashion the theme of Illúvatar to a great music; and a sound arose of endless interchanging melodies woven in a harmony that passed beyond hearing into the depths and into the heights, and the places of the dwelling of Illúvatar were filled to overflowing, and the music and the echo of the music went out into the Void, and it was not void. Never since have the Ainur made any music like to this music, though it has been said that a greater still shall be made before Illúvatar by the choirs of the Ainur and the Children of Illúvatar after the end of days. Then the themes of Illúvatar shall be played aright, and take Being in the moment of their utterance, for all shall then understand fully his intent in their part, and each shall know the comprehension of each, and Illúvatar shall give to their

thoughts the secret fire, being well pleased."

 And most likely the Celtic myth of Oran Mór would have been known by J. R. R. Tolkien:

" Quiet—

Eternal Quiet.

Not even the sound of the restless, stirring, dark waters could be heard.

  Then, a great spiraling strain of Melody moved across the endless waters.

  Subdued at first,

  then quickly gathering momentum until it reached a great crescendo.

  And, then, there was Life!

But the Melody did not stop.

  It continued its song,

  filling all of Creation with its divine harmony.

  And so it continues today,

  for all those who listen."

  The primordial myth of Creation tells of a mighty melody – the very breath of the primordial god – that sang Creation into existence. To the Celts it was known as the Oran Mór, "The Great Melody" which goes on and on.  And 'breath' as Spirit brings to mind the Genesis creation story, of course.

Read the Tolkien creation story to see how close it is to the Biblical account of creation.

I love to think that Creation began with a Word which was Song.  Creation sung into being.  Now, that is an Easter thought!